LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1252, 10 December 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Our local cricketers returned late last night from Spring Creek, where they had played and won a match during the day, Spring Creek scoring 104 runs and Picton 129. A report will appear next week.

A very enticing programme of sports has been drawn up to take place on Nelson Square, on the Monday following New Year’s Day, this being the day which will be kept as the public holiday. An unusually strong committee has been formed, and under the management of the gentlemen named, the sports cannot fail to be successful. Whatever counter attractions may be elsewhere, the popularity of the Nelson Square Sports is so great that there is sure to be a large attendance ; and as the programme is not too lengthy, spectators will have time to witness all the events.

Wo are promised a visit from the well known illusionist, Professor Haselmayer, who has lately arrived on a second visit to the colony, and purposes visiting all towns of sufficient importance. The entertainment given by the Professor is so full of surprises that it is no i,ain a uenei mat ne is nssiatod* t> r .7.;.c.'?a~/yitei:T agency. When visiting the colony before, the entertainment was one of the best that had ever been given ; but now it is far superior to what it was then, as the very newest novelties have been brought out, and somo of the mysteries that now amaze the Londoners may perform a like service for the Antipodeans. Messrs Girling & Co., the well-known drapers of Blenheim, are about to bring the war into the enemies’ camp, by opening a shop for the sale of drapery, clothing, &c., &c., in Picton. Having purchased, on terms much below usual market rates, a large portion of the bankrupt stock in the estate of T. S. Wymond, & Co, Messrs Girling purpose selling it at a small advance on what they gave for it, so that customers may obtain goods at less than dealers often have to pay wholesale prices for. Such inducement is likely to lead to a speedy clearance, and a large attendance of customers at Girling’s clearing sale of bankrupt stock. The sale will be held in the store near the Post Office, formerly occupied by Mr Hillmer. The N.Z. Times contains the following letter signed A. G. Fell, Blenheim, It may contain something worth noting by our local fishermen :—“ lam very glad you have taken the mattor up, and written so strongly in a subleader in Wednesday’s issue, regarding the custom of fishermen using nets having too small a mesh. Wellington fishermen have already almost ruined the fishing in Port Underwood, and jwill soon do the same for tho Picton and Queen Charlotte Sound fishing, many tons of small fish having been left on the bench to perish. Local fishermen have made frequent complaints, and I myself informed Captain Johnson what was going on. As I understand fishmen pay a licence it would bo easy to inspect their nets at various periods. Trusting you will continue to urge your point.—l am, &c. Many of the parishoners of the Holy Trinity will learn with regret that Mr J. A. R. Greensill has resigned his position as lay-reader in the Church. For the long period of eighteen years Mr Green sill lias occupied the position, and has ever been ready to give his services wherever and whenever wanted, and ns he could usually he found his services were frequently called into requisition. In tho absence of the Incumbent, it fell to Mr Greensill to conduct the majority of funeral services, and if for this alone, i*. is a mutter for regret that those who would like him to perform the last sad rites of the Church will be compelled to forego the inclination. Of hist work in connection with other Church matters we arc unablo to speak, but eighteen years’ faithful service demands some recognition, and we thus do our part, leaving the officer-bearers in the Church to do theirs.

Bathing is a nice recreation, and when indulged in at a proper time and season is conducive alike to pleasure and health ; but we question whether the most enthusiastic bather would not hesitate in taking a dip if he saw what was to be seen on the beach on Tuesday last. Some nets had been set overnight to catch flounders, and when the owners went to make their haul in the morning, they found the nets contained mare than was bargained for, Hnd in addition to some six or seven flat fish, brought ashore six sharks, each measuring from 5 to 6 feet. This was the apparent number landed, but the appearance of some of these piratical man-eating fish was so peculiar that further investigation was made, which brought to light over 70 young ones, measuring from C to 8 inches in length. All the old onos were not examined and made to disgorge, or it is not improhablejthat a sufficiency of the small fry to make up thq even hundred Would have been found. Such a slaughter has not taken place for many a day about the harbor, and the presence of such very undesirable companions in the water should cause bathers to be tvary when taking their usual dip. Such as

desire to enjoy the comfort of a sea Path, and at the same time to remain undisturbed by the thoughts of the proximity of hurtful marine animals, may do so by using the bath enclosure, and as the price is so nominal there can be no excuse for runuiug any risk to life or limbs by encountering any of the shark species. There would be less recklessness shown if bathers knew the risk they sometimes run ; and as it was to remedy this that the baths were erected, it follows that, if the baths are not patronised, bathers place but little value on their lives or limbs,